West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-05-12
The Clergyman's Ghost

age OF the church TO which he had late
ly been called. The quarters were new
to HIM, but half dozen of his predeces-
sors had occupied the house, which was
pretty in itself, and prettily situated
amid shrubbery and trees. The place
was smart town in northern Michigan.
The pastor and his wife were entertain
Ing for day three of Mr.. Starkeye's
classmates at college. These gentlemen
came up from Ohio for duck shooting on
the Lake Huron shore, and had stopped
for visit to their old school fellow in
his new location.
After dinner visitors and hosts were
sitting in tho coy parlor while the
shades OF night deepened. The talk
was lively, and all were in the best OF
spirits, when one of the visitors sudden
ly exclaimed:
whats that7"
or course everybody looked Mt every
body else, and the visitors saw in Mrs.
starkeye's face an expression of annoy
Ance almost amounting to distress.
1t was John Trennam who made the
exclamation. His comrades, Jack
Duceman and Henry Kctlow, demanded
In ono breath:
"What Is it, joint"
''Whats the matter, old fcllow7"
Trennam exclaimed: "Wby, that
voice. Didn't you hear it, stnrkeye7 A
mufled sound like the There it is
again Do you hear thatT'
Every one had heard it this time. A
mufflcd voice, truly; but the words were
plainly heard:
'Oh-h-h-h-hi-Don'tp
A long dwell upon the first word, in a
sort Of crcScendo wall; then an instant's
pause, and the second word came, short
and sharp, but in a louder tone:
"Oh-h-h-h-hl-Don'tp
A woman's voice, evidently. So it
seemed to all the listeners.
Mr'. Starkeye was the first to speak.
'It has come, Doycc," she said to her
husband, and the manner, not less than
her words, told that the wailing voice
was not news to them, but was dreaded
by her, at least.
"starkeyc," cried Duccman, spring.
Ing to his feet, with your permission
we'll lay this ghost for you sec how
1t must bother you. Do you give us
lesve1 Ahl that's right. Come, boys
let's get to the bottom OF it. A parson
can't go ghost-hunting, but we can"
1t was arranged that Trcnman should
keep watch at tho west window of the
parlor. Duceman was to stealthily sta
tion himself at tho west end Of the front
porch. and Kctlow went to the second
floor room above the parlor. A little
cool headed watching they thought.
would discover something in no very
long time. They were to remain at their
posts for an hour, If nothing was found
ont meanwhile, and then roassemblo in
the parlors to consider further steps.
The night was not dark, but it was
difficult TO soc much around the LEAKAGE
surrounding tho parsonage. A soughinp.
westerly wind came ftfully through tho
trees. The friends took their stations
and half an hour went by, while at in.
tcrvals tho wailing voice was heard
Beyond oil question it was somewhere
about tho west end Of the house. Blu.
whorel Now it sounded TO Duceman on
the porch as il IL wero just above his
head, but tho next time it was heard IL
seemed 10 como from tho top Of silver
loafod poplar that stood close TO the west
end OF tho house. Duceman pccrcd
around toward the poplar and in his
'agcrno's stepped Of the porch anon 2
tho shrubbcry.
"Oh-h-h-h-hl Don'tw
Almost directly above his head, Duce-
man thought Tic was sure it was in
the poplar troo. lie crept slowly until
20 stood under the poplar and then
looking intently through the branches saw
a dark form outlined against tho sky-a
form dpon tho peak Of the roof and not
In the tree Ducoman was both elated
and indignant at his discovery.
II hate practical Jokes and jokers-
especially such stupid ones as this, " and
he mutterod rs he stole quickly and
quietly baok 10 tho porch into the house.
'Pil give that fellow lesson he won't
forget, said Duoomau 10 himself a. he
secured his ducking gun, and then paid
hasty visit TO Ms. starkeyo's kitchen.
In minute more Ducemau, gun in
hand, was steOlng softly around the
wost end Of tho house again. There sat
tho fellow on the roof dimly seen against
the sky Dlccman raised his gun and
fred. With q leul Shrek the fgure y